How Does Gestational Diabetes Impact Life Insurance?

Shopping for life insurance while pregnant? Take into account all the possible risk factors that might affect your ability to obtain the best life insurance offer.

Almost one of out five (18%) of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Even more troubling is the fact that the prevalence of gestational diabetes is growing—as shown in the chart below.

The prevalence of gestational diabetes has increased between 10 and 100% according to a study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California.
The prevalence of gestational diabetes in the United States may be as high as 9.2% according to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention).

The International Diabetes Federation estimates the number to be closer to 15% globally. That means that a significant portion of women in the United States will need to consider the impact of gestational diabetes on their life insurance needs.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes usually manifests itself in the third trimester, and there is a very good chance that it will disappear after the baby is born.

There are several risk factors that can increase your chance of getting gestational diabetes:

Obesity

Sedentary lifestyle

A parent or a sibling with type 2 diabetes

African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander American ethnicity
Pre-diabetes – your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to classify you as type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes can be controlled through a special diet paired with an exercise program suggested by your doctor. It is very important to show the insurance underwriters how you are managing your condition, whether it is through diet and exercise, through medication, or both.

Even though gestational diabetes is common, its potential consequences can be severe. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of preterm delivery and preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy). Risk factors such as preeclampsia could lead to less than preferred rate for life insurance purposes.

If you are suffering from gestational diabetes, and looking for an affordable life insurance policy, you will need a competent counsel to find the right company.

Gestational Diabetes and Life Insurance

In general, risk factors for type 1 diabetes include autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors. Type 2 diabetes is associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race ethnicity.

The risk factors for gestational diabetes are similar to those for type 2 diabetes. The occurrence of gestational diabetes itself is a risk factor for developing gestation diabetes with future pregnancies and subsequent development of type 2 diabetes. It may cause some life insurance companies to charge you higher insurance premiums.

Diabetes, even temporary, is a serious medical condition and can impact your ability to get affordable coverage. We understand the importance of providing financial support in case of premature death, and will work with you to get best possible coverage.

Life Insurance Companies and Gestational Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes means that the insurance company will assume that you have a higher risk of developing diabetes type 2 in the future. To get a full picture, the company will ask you questions about your weight, lifestyle habits, and other medical conditions. Some of them might also check if diabetes runs in your family.

Studies are inconclusive on what the outcome might be, if a woman proactively avoided the other risks factors after contracting gestational diabetes during her pregnancy. This leads to some insurance companies showing leniency in underwriting for women with history of gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes and Life Insurance Class Ratings

The premium that you pay for a life insurance policy is determined by assigning you to a particular health class. The premiums range from preferred plus, preferred, standard, and substandard.

Some companies may rate you at a standard plus to standard rate until 1 or 2 years after the pregnancy. After the delivery you might be able to obtain preferred rates. This will depend on several factors including your family history, your BMI, lifestyle, and other medical conditions.

The underwriters might ask you a few additional questions:

When were you initially diagnosed with diabetes? The life insurance company will need to know whether you were diagnosed with diabetes before or after you became pregnant.
Are you currently pregnant? If you are not currently pregnant, but you have a history of gestational diabetes, you might be able to obtain coverage right away.

Women that can show low blood sugar levels, along with a healthy lifestyle, and a clean medical record have the best chances of obtaining rock bottom life insurance rates.

Obtaining Life Insurance During Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes

Getting life insurance with gestational diabetes does not mean an automatic decline from insurance companies. To get the bets possible rates you may want consider postponing your life insurance purchase until after the pregnancy. You can consult with your agent or an agency beforehand, and start shopping for the right insurance company. In any case, the insurance carrier will need more medical information to complete the underwriting process, and will most definitely delay any decision until that information is submitted.

Yes, you can have a history of gestational diabetes and still get life insurance at the best rate class. Our medical underwriting experts can ensure that gestational diabetes won’t mean automatic standard rate class, and will be decided on a case by case basis.

Medically Underwritten Insurance Policy

When was your last check-up with the endocrinologist?

Medical evaluation from your doctor will be the most accurate to assess your medical condition. It will be used by your life insurance company to determine your health class rating.

Recent laboratory tests such as FBS, RBS or OGTT can confirm your blood sugar levels, and further support your case for a preferred insurance premium. Getting a life insurance quote at multiple substandard ratings can help you familiarize yourself with the range of substandard premiums.

Getting Affordable Life Insurance with Gestational Diabetes

You should be able to secure affordable life insurance even with a history of gestational diabetes.

Medically underwritten life insurance policy will require you take a medical exam. It will be scheduled by your agent, or your agency, and paid by the insurance carrier. We strongly advise you to take the test, otherwise the cost of the policy might be much higher. It is suggested to apply for medically underwritten insurance first, and then exploring the options of no medical exam life insurance if required.

The key to getting the best rates is working with an experienced life insurance broker. Even if you are already stuck with a policy with higher rates, it is worth to look around. Working with the right company will make all the difference. A good agent or an agency can help you browse through all the top companies, and find the best offer. Not only it will save you a lot of time but it will be significantly cheaper.

Don’t put your life and money in hands of amateurs. A qualified, high risk life insurance specialist will know how to properly navigate the carriers who have a history of dealing with diabetics.

Gestational diabetes does not have to lead to an automatic decline or a standard health class rating, and higher insurance premium rates. Our expert team will provide on-time, professional advice to get you the best, affordable coverage for your needs.

Big Lou is just like you—he's on meds too. Big Lou is about reality in life insurance. He's been through good times and bad. Big Lou knows you have special needs, and he's here to help guide you through the life insurance process.